Velocipede



(No Model.) 7 i 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. LOWTH.

Yelocipede. No. 239,812 Patented April 5,1881. a ,0

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N. PETERS, PHOTWLITHOGRAPMER, WASHINGTON. D. C.

(NoModeL) 2 Sheets-Shet 2. I

J. LOWTH. Velooipede.

No. 239,812. Patented April 5,1881.

' MPETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAFHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES LOWTH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 239,812, dated April 5, 1881. Application filed October 8, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES LOWTH, of Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Velocipedes, of which the following, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a side elevation of a velocipede embodying my invention, with one of the front wheels removed. Fig. 2, Sheet 1, is a top view thereof, and Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is a rear view of the same.

Like letters of reference indicate likeparts.

In the drawings, A A represent the front wheels, and B the rear wheels.

G is a compound crank-axle, on which the wheels A A are freely mounted. This axle contains the foot'cranks a a, extending in opposite directions in, or nearly in, the same plane, and also the driving-cranks a a, set at, or nearly at, right angles to each other.

D is a skeleton frame or truss bearing freely at its front or forked end on the spindles of the axle O. V

E is a crank-axle lnade rigid in the hub of the wheel B.

F is a hanger through which the axle E passes freely. The upper end of the part F is pivoted in the rear end of the frame D, and is there held or braced to stand in a vertical position.

G G are bell-cranks or angular levers pivoted to the frame D.

H H are connecting rods or arms connecting the cranks a a to the levers G G, and [I are arms connecting the crank-axle E to the said levers. These connections are such that the wheel B will be rotated when footeranks a a. are operated, as indicated in the drawings.

J is the guide-bar, which is pivoted to the frame D, and K is a strap or like connection fastened to the bar J on each side of its center, and passing around the upper part of the hanger F. The purpose of connecting the parts F and J in this manner is to admit of the' hanger being rotated when the guide-bar is turned, and so that the wheel B, which is carried by the hanger, may be thereby set to guide the velocipede at the will of the rider.

- In order that the rider may guide the velocipede by turning the guide-bar in the direction he may desire to go, I cross the strap K, as indicated in Fig. 2; but'I do not here intend to restrict myself to this particular manner of connecting the guide-rod and hanger; neither do Iintend to be restricted to a strap or other flexible connection.

In order to admit of the wheel serving as a guide-Wheel in this combination and arrangenient of parts, the upper ends of the rods or arms I I should be swiveled to the rear ends of the levers G G, as indicated at 0 c. I

L is the seat, which is adapted and arranged to allow the rider to face the wheels AA.

It will be perceived from the foregoing description, and from reference to the drawings, that this velocipede is especially well adapted to he used by girls.

It will also be perceived that there are two front wheels, serving to support and carry the frame and the rider, and that there is only one-rear wheel, which serves as a propellingwheel as well as a guide-wheel.

It will also be perceived that a dead-centeriis avoided, and the system of cranlks and levers employed aids propulsion, as I believe,

and gives to the velocipede a novel and neat appearance.

A comparatively slight movement of the guide-bar will set the guide-wheel in such a position that the velocipede will travel in the smallest circle in which it is capable of being propelled.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in a velocipede, of the right-angle cranks a a, the right-angle crank E, the pivoted levers G G, and the connect ing-rods H H and I I, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The combination, in avclocipede, of the drive and guide wheel B and its rigid crankaxle E, the driving-levers G G, pivoted to the frame, and the driving-rods I I, connected to the said axle and swivet-jointed at their upper ends to the said levers, for the purpose of thereby permitting the Wheel B to be turned at an angle, while being driven, to the line of travel of the other wheels, substantially as. specified.

JAMES LOWTH.

Witnesses:

F. F. WARNER, J EssIE E. STUART. 

